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SportsDFB refuses to sign support letter for Infantino; IOC complaint filed ahead of 2027 re-election
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German Football Association (DFB) President Bernd Neuendorf refused to sign a pre-formulated support letter for FIFA President Gianni Infantino's 2027 re-election bid, following a scandal where a red card suspension for US striker Folarin Balogun was overturned after US President Donald Trump called Infantino. FIFA Director for Europe Elkhan Mammadov visited 16 European associations during the World Cup to gather signatures, but Neuendorf declined. While Infantino's re-election is widely expected due to support from African, Asian, and South American confederations, he faces a separate threat from the International Olympic Committee (IOC). The British human rights organization FairSquare filed a complaint accusing Infantino of violating IOC political neutrality rules due to his close ties with Trump, including awarding Trump a FIFA Peace Prize and joining Trump's Peace Council. IOC President Kirsty Coventry has indicated she will review the case.
Source report
The German Football Association (DFB) has reached its limit with FIFA President Gianni Infantino (56). DFB President Bernd Neuendorf (65) has been keeping his distance from Infantino, particularly since the scandal surrounding the overturned red card suspension of US striker Folarin Balogun (25) during the round of 16 match against Belgium — a decision reportedly made after a call from US President Donald Trump (80) to Infantino. This development has been confirmed by BILD from the DFB side.
Support Letter Campaign During the World Cup
During the World Cup, FIFA Director for Europe Elkhan Mammadov from Azerbaijan visited the 16 participating European national associations. He campaigned for an apparently pre-formulated support letter endorsing Infantino's intended candidacy at the FIFA Congress on March 18, 2027, in Rabat, Morocco.
- Neuendorf refused to sign the letter.
- Other associations that did sign later regretted their decision following the Balogun case.
The support letter for Infantino from Nigeria, which the European national associations are also supposed to sign. Photo: private
Re-election Prospects
There is little doubt about Infantino's re-election. The continental associations from Africa, Asia, and South America have already pledged their support to him.
Potential Threat from the IOC
However, danger threatens from a different direction. The International Olympic Committee (IOC), of which Infantino is a member as FIFA President, has received a complaint against him from the British human rights organization FairSquare.
- Infantino is accused of violating IOC rules on political neutrality due to his close ties to Trump.
- Infantino honored Trump with the invented FIFA Peace Prize, among other gestures.
- Infantino also participated in Trump's newly founded Peace Council, which most European heads of state do not recognize.
IOC President Kirsty Coventry (42) has already indicated that she will address the Infantino case.
Source
BILD - SportWestern
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